JPM earnings 4Q 2021

JPMorgan Chase posted profit that exceeded analysts’ expectations on a benefit from better-than-expected credit losses and as loan growth returned to parts of the firms’ business.

Here are the numbers:

• Earnings: $3.33 a share, vs. estimate $3.01, according to Refinitiv.
• Revenue: $30.35 billion, vs. estimate $29.9 billion.

Government stimulus programs during the pandemic left consumers and businesses flush, resulting in stagnant loan growth and prompting CEO Jamie Dimon to say last year that loan growth was “challenged.”

But analysts have pointed to a rebound in the fourth quarter, driven by demand from corporations and credit card borrowers. They’ll want to see that show up in JPMorgan’s results, as that, along with the Federal Reserve’s expected rate hikes, are two primary drivers of the industry’s profitability.

Analysts may also ask the bank about the impact of its recent decision to rein in overdraft fees. JPMorgan said last month that it would give customers a grace period to avoid the punitive fees, a move that along with other changes will have a “not insignificant” hit to revenue.

JPMorgan chief operating officer Daniel Pinto said last month during a conference that fourth-quarter trading revenue was headed for a 10% drop, driven by a decline in fixed income activity from record levels. Offsetting that is an expected 35% jump in investment banking fees, he said.

The bank was forced to pay $200 million in fines last month to settle charges that its Wall Street division allowed workers to use messaging apps to circumvent record keeping laws.  

Shares of JPMorgan have climbed 6.2% this year, lagging the 11.6% rise of the KBW Bank Index.  

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.